Apple's Share of Global Mobile Phone Market Hits 5%

[wovel]

I'm sure an average iPhone user thought it's more like 80%.

It was the number 1 selling phone in the world in 2010. In the US in the last quarter the iPhone was the #1 and #2 selling phone. I am not saying smartphone and I am not making a mistake. If you see a person who purchased a mobile phone in the last year, the chances are it is an iPhone.

You see more iPhones then you see of anything else because there are more iPhones then anything else.

The problem for Apple is that Android handsets come out, which are the very top and, as you say the same price, then a while later a new top Android phone comes out, so the old one gets offered to people at a lower price, then an even newer Android handset comes out, so the original one is now offered at a very lower price and so it goes on.

So, people can may a LOT for an iPhone or get an Android phone that was the very best a while ago for much less.

Apple don't tend to let old models slip down the pricing ladder in this way, hence they will always lose out from amass of sales that are at low to medium price bracket, and that's where the bulk of the consumer market is.

Apple are the only ones that lose out due to this policy.

And to be honest, a lot of people don't know, care, understand. the iPhone is just another phone, like and Android phone. they are all the same thing, you can get apps and games on them all and they are all phones.

Lots of people just don't care.

They have done well letting AT&T sell the 3GS in the US for $49. It was the #2 phone in the US last quarter after the iPhone 4. Maybe they will spread that around more in the future.

i'm from near frankfurt and i have yet to see a iPad out in the wild ... so much for portable but i seen one used at a friends house ^^

i see lots of iPhone's in my class tho, its kinda annoying to have a iPhone by now. we had to do a project for class recently and 4 of 5 out of my group had a iPhone 4 (with 2 of those having shattered screens - but that is another matter)

I fly from Denver to Dallas nearly every week and I have seen 1000s of iPads in the wild...it sounds like you hang out with some very clumsy people, maybe they are afraid to buy iPads.

 

[Winni]

iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS are the #1 and #2 selling handsets.

Maybe, when you rank the individual product models. But when you rank the underlying platforms, iOS is no longer leading the pack. Android has taken over the lead and that was to be expected, because Google did the smart thing: Divide and rule. Everybody can build Android gadgets, but only Apple builds iOS devices. And the systems that everybody can use have ALWAYS dominated the market. Just remember Windows vs Mac OS or VHS vs Betamax and Video 2000.

 

[zacman]

In Stockholm and Frankfurt, I hardly see any iPhones.

Well that really depends with which other guys you're dealing. In Germany the iPhone was known to be hip in the media industry but that changed maybe 1.5 years ago. Now the iPhone is mainly bought by migrants that want some status symbol. It's basically the same group of people that get Vodafone contracts while students etc. are mainly now getting Android phones from o2 or T-Mobile. eplus is mainly non existent in the German smartphone market.

 

[Vegasman]

If you see a person who purchased a mobile phone in the last year, the chances are it is an iPhone.

I am pretty sure this report is saying that if someone bought a mobile phone in the last year there is a 19 in 20 chance it is NOT an iPhone.

 

[Piggie]

Cool story. Only problem, of course, is the facts.

iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS are the #1 and #2 selling handsets.

Not big on business sense, are you? Apple doesn't "let old models slip down on pricing" because they don't have to. Do you think other companies reduce prices on their phones out of the goodness of their heart? They lower the prices because nobody wants them.

Hang on a moment. You say:

"iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS are the #1 and #2 selling handsets."

So in that case they would be at the very top of the phone sales, not at 5% they can't be the top selling handsets in No.1 and No.2 positions and not be at the top. that just does not make sense.

 

[acidfast7]

I fly from Denver to Dallas nearly every week and I have seen 1000s of iPads in the wild...it sounds like you hang out with some very clumsy people, maybe they are afraid to buy iPads.

I fly around Europe mostly and to North America maybe 12 times / year. iPad usage suffers from a clear European/North America divide. Most Europeans (Germans/Swedes) I know still haven't found a use for one.

Also, iPhone ownership is much lower over here because the cost/min is much higher. The last data I saw (ComputerBild.de) showed that Germans pay 0.11€/min for talk but only consume on average 20€/mo. Americans paid 0.03€/min and consume roughly 45€/mo on average.

The was for all phones combined, not just iPhones/smartphones.

Basically, the cost is still way too high per min over here to justify the cost.

The lack of iPad usage comes down to it being an extreme luxury item ... average full time "salary" in Germany is 45k€ pre-tax and 25k€ post-tax (2k€/month), so 25% of a months salary for a non-specific usage device that can't really be subsidized by the employer is a non-starter.

eplus is mainly non existent in the German smartphone market.

Most people I know use Eplus/Simyo prepaid.

 

[alphaod]

Looks like a lot of phones are in the "other" categories. I recall going abroad last year and seeing a lot of folks sporting Android devices.

 

[jayducharme]

iPhones don't cost any more than other smart phones, so I don't see why you find this surprising. If you need a phone, might as well get the best.

Up until a few years ago, most students carried whatever flip phone was free from their carrier. Now there's an influx of smartphones on the market. Students could still get cheap phones if they wanted to -- even cheap smartphones. But instead they're opting for iPhones.

Just remember Windows vs Mac OS

I do, painfully. That's why I switched to using a Mac, and that's why IMO Apple's doing well: they provide a better experience.

 

[bpaluzzi]

Maybe, when you rank the individual product models. But when you rank the underlying platforms, iOS is no longer leading the pack. Android has taken over the lead and that was to be expected, because Google did the smart thing: Divide and rule. Everybody can build Android gadgets, but only Apple builds iOS devices. And the systems that everybody can use have ALWAYS dominated the market. Just remember Windows vs Mac OS or VHS vs Betamax and Video 2000.

Nice try, but also false. iOS has a >50% higher number of devices than Android.

Hang on a moment. You say:

"iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS are the #1 and #2 selling handsets."

So in that case they would be at the very top of the phone sales, not at 5% they can't be the top selling handsets in No.1 and No.2 positions and not be at the top. that just does not make sense.

Not much of a math person either, eh?

 

[Pink∆Floyd]

This is awesome, good for Apple

 

[AaronEdwards]

It was the number 1 selling phone in the world in 2010. In the US in the last quarter the iPhone was the #1 and #2 selling phone. I am not saying smartphone and I am not making a mistake. If you see a person who purchased a mobile phone in the last year, the chances are it is an iPhone.

You see more iPhones then you see of anything else because there are more iPhones then anything else.

According to the IDC results, Apple have a 2.8% market share, that means 1 in 36.

There aren't more iPhones than anything else.


You're making a lot mistakes.

 

[billystlyes]

These articles about market share all the time are becoming so boring...

 

[dethmaShine]

Great News.

 

[Piggie]

Not much of a math person either, eh?

Guess not, if I was selling Fruit on my market stall and someone said, what's your top/best selling item of fruit and I said, oh, Apple's Apples are the No.1 and No.2 best selling pieces of fruit I have, they outsell everything.

Oh, so you sell loads of Apples the guy asks?

No, I don't sell that many Apple's compared to my other fruit.

the bloke leave with a confused look on his face.

 

[AaronEdwards]

These articles about market share all the time are becoming so boring...

Here's another.

Outside the US, iOS is bleeding bad.

 

[Popeye206]

Maybe, when you rank the individual product models. But when you rank the underlying platforms, iOS is no longer leading the pack. Android has taken over the lead and that was to be expected, because Google did the smart thing: Divide and rule. Everybody can build Android gadgets, but only Apple builds iOS devices. And the systems that everybody can use have ALWAYS dominated the market. Just remember Windows vs Mac OS or VHS vs Betamax and Video 2000.

Winni... you're right, it is a totally different business model between Apple and Google when it comes to cell phones. And given that LG, HTC, Moto and others were failing miserably at doing their own OS it made sense for them to migrate to Android. Just the pure numbers say that Android is going to be a major player in the smart phone market.

However, that does not mean that iOS will not continue to thrive and grow either. As you can see by the numbers... it's a HUGE and growing market. Given that Apple's model makes them very profitable, I'm sure they are very happy with where they are at and the growth they are seeing.

I really hate this stupid iOS vs Android comparison. Android or iOS will never own the total market and one will not destroy the other. I just don't see that happening unless one of them takes their eye off the ball. Right now, that does not appear to be Apple. They seem to know what they're doing based on the numbers.

 

[Jimmy James]

It's funny, but wherever I go, I always see people with iPhones. My train, on plane trips between Chicago and NYC, during meetings, etc. I am amazed the number is only 5% - but I guess it's the circles that I am in.

That's because many of them are using the iPhone for purposes other than calls (emails, games, etc). Basic phones are in the pockets of their users when they're not on the phone.

 

[bpaluzzi]

Guess not, if I was selling Fruit on my market stall and someone said, what's your top/best selling item of fruit and I said, oh, Apple's Apples are the No.1 and No.2 best selling pieces of fruit I have, they outsell everything.

Oh, so you sell loads of Apples the guy asks?

No, I don't sell that many Apple's compared to my other fruit.

the bloke leave with a confused look on his face.

Is it really that tough for you to understand? Apple sells two phones. Those are the two most popular phones sold.

The other manufacturers ALL sell many, many models of phones. The total sales of those many phones combined equal to a number that is bigger than Apple's total sales.

 

[acidfast7]

Is it really that tough for you to understand? Apple sells two phones.

Really, that's quite interesting as I can currently buy FIVE different iPhones online.

Is that really tough for you to understand?

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[bpaluzzi]

Really, that's quite interesting as I can currently buy FIVE different iPhones online.

Is that really tough for you to understand?

Really? That's your best comeback? Counting different sizes and network providers as different phones? Wow. Good one! You showed me!

Now if only ANYONE else would count them your way, you'd have a point.

 

[Vegasman]

Is it really that tough for you to understand? Apple sells two phones. Those are the two most popular phones sold.

The other manufacturers ALL sell many, many models of phones. The total sales of those many phones combined equal to a number that is bigger than Apple's total sales.

Maybe what you are saying is correct - when you are talking strickly smart phones.

But this article is about _all_ mobile phones. And in your original posts you stated "handsets" and in this one you state "phone" - not distinguishing from smart phones. To be clear, we all agree (I think) that Apple has the #1 and #2 selling model of smart phones.

Now... I don't know because I haven't seen the numbers but in terms of handsets/phone, it is possible that Nokia has a $9.99 model that sells more than Apple's top selling model.

 

[acidfast7]

Really? That's your best comeback? Counting different sizes and network providers as different phones? Wow. Good one! You showed me!

Now if only ANYONE else would count them your way, you'd have a point.

There are FIVE different models with FIVE different specifications. I can buy them online with the hassle of having to select a provider.

The rest of the world does count them this way ... check

http://store.apple.com/de/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone?mco=MTAyNTQzMjI
http://store.apple.com/it/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone?mco=MTAyNTQzMjI

for starters.

The MINORITY of people on the planet count them your way.

 

[wovel]

Maybe, when you rank the individual product models. But when you rank the underlying platforms, iOS is no longer leading the pack. Android has taken over the lead and that was to be expected, because Google did the smart thing: Divide and rule. Everybody can build Android gadgets, but only Apple builds iOS devices. And the systems that everybody can use have ALWAYS dominated the market. Just remember Windows vs Mac OS or VHS vs Betamax and Video 2000.

Android is not a consistent platform. A huge chunk of that "market share" is running 1.6 and is not compatible with anything in the Market. What I said is true. What you said sounds like a desperate attempt to redefine winning.

Why does what you said matter. It has been true over a year and App sales on Android are still less then 10% of iOS.

PS. The Android US "market share" slipped 5% in the last quarter and the iPhone went up.

These comparison of a single device against a loose collection of largely incompatible devices is growing tiresome.

According to the IDC results, Apple have a 2.8% market share, that means 1 in 36.

There aren't more iPhones than anything else.


You're making a lot mistakes.

You simply can not read and have no idea what you are talking about.

I made no mistakes. There is not a phone in the world that sold more then the Phone. More people bought an iPhone then any other phone. If you see someone with a phone, it is more likely an iPhone then any other kind of phone. Not more likely then all other kinds of phones.

If someone came up to you and said, I purchased a phone in the last year and Iwill give you 5 million dollars if you can guess what it is, you would say an iPhone. Unless you were a moron.

 

[bpaluzzi]

Don't be a tard.

There are FIVE different models with FIVE different specifications. I can buy them online with the hassle of having to select a provider.

The rest of the world does count them this way ... check

http://store.apple.com/de/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone?mco=MTAyNTQzMjI
http://store.apple.com/it/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone?mco=MTAyNTQzMjI

for starters.

The MINORITY of people on the planet count them your way.

Colors and sizes. Even better. Wow, you're digging deep man. And every statistical count of phone purchases count them as two phones: 3GS and 4

But keep on pretending you're right, it's really quite amusing. I bet you're all red in the face right now.

 

[acidfast7]

Colors and sizes. Even better. Wow, you're digging deep man. And every statistical count of phones purchases count them as two phones: 3GS and 4

But keep on pretending you're right, it's really quite amusing. I bet you're all red in the face right now.

Not at all. Sales are determined and calculated by part numbers ... by any reliable firm, that is. Perhaps, you're not familiar with such practices? Maybe you spend too much time viewing simplified/dumbed-down blogs instead of actual sales/business forecasts. It's OK, at one juncture, all of us had to spoon-fed.